Nov. 11, 2006

Final Stats

MANKATO, Minn. - Quarterback Adam Perry (So., Longview/R.A. Long) made his first career start a successful one, throwing for two touchdowns and running for the go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter as Western Washington University closed out its season with a 35-21 victory over Minnesota State, Mankato, in a North Central Conference football game Saturday at Blakeslee Stadium.

The triumph was the third straight for the Vikings, who concluded their first year under coach Robin Ross 5-6 overall and 3-5 in the NCC (tied for fifth place). Western scored the go-ahead points in the fourth quarter of all five victories.

Minnesota State completed its season 4-7 overall and 2-6 in the NCC, having a two-game winning streak snapped. Quarterback Ben King completed 36-of-64 passes for 335 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, setting a school record for pass attempts in a game. Tyrell Smith had a school-record 11 receptions for 91 yards.

Perry completed 14-of-25 passes for 215 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, and also was a threat running, picking up 49 yards on 10 carries. He had runs of 11 and 19 yards on the go-ahead drive, setting up a 6-yard scramble that gave the Vikings a 28-21 lead with 13:20 to play.

Running back Craig Garner added an insurance score with a 5-yard run on the following possession. Garner rushed for 166 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries, his fourth consecutive 100-yard game since becoming a starter.

Minnesota State reached the Western 30 on the next possession, but King then threw four consecutive incompletions, and the Viking offense picked up four first downs to run out the clock.

Western had a 434-369 edge in total offense, rushing for a season-high 219 yards. Its 35 points also was a season best. The Vikings had a 258-121 advantage in yardage in the second half.

"Adam Perry played a heck of a game," said Ross. "Our offense was efficient, we put 35 points up, the most we have all season. He made plays when we needed him to, on the last drive of the game, he made a key pass and a big run for first downs, and kept the chains moving to run out the clock."

Wide receiver Kellen Alley (Sr., Bremerton/Central Kitsap) had four receptions for 53 yards, including two critical catches in the fourth quarter, one a 19-yard grab to set up Garner's touchdown and the other for a first down on a third-and-6 play early in the final game-clinching drive.

Minnesota State opened the scoring on its first possession of the game. An interception by Allen King gave the Mavericks the ball at the Western 49, leading to an 11-yard touchdown pass from King to Tory Chappell just 5:50 into the game. The extra point was blocked.

Western responded almost immediately as Garner burst down the right sideline for a 43-yard touchdown, capping a seven-play, 81-yard drive that gave the Vikings a 7-6 lead.

The Vikings extended the lead late in the second quarter, going 65 yards in just five plays. Perry was 3-of-4 for 61 yards in the drive, including a 24-yard touchdown pass to Casey Dell (So., Moxie/East Valley).

But the Mavericks tied the score at 14-14 on the next possession on a 4-yard pass from King to Joshua Bryant and a subsequent 2-point pass to Bryant. King completed seven passes in the 14-play, 80-yard drive, and for the second quarter, was 16-of-25 for 133 yards.

Western recovered an onside kick to open the second half, and quickly took advantage of it, as four plays later Garner took a screen pass from Perry, eluded an initial wave of defenders and sprinted for a 30-yard touchdown.

Minnesota State responded with a 41-yard pass from King to Chris Nowlin to tie the game at 21-21 with 9:50 left in the third quarter, but Western's defense stiffened after that, holding the Mavericks to one first down on each of the next three possessions.

"Our defense just kept battling, as they have the last three weeks," said Ross. "Our goal was to not give up the big one, and we only gave up one of those. Besides that, we kept everything in front of us."

Steve Davis (Jr., Kennewick/Kamiakin), playing outside linebacker for the second time after starting the first nine games at strong safety, led the Western defense with 13 tackles. Free safety Todd McClellan (Sr., Lacey/Timberline) had an interception late in the first quarter, his fifth in the last three games. He finished the season with six, the most for a Viking since Orlondo Steinauer had 10 in 1995.

"This team just kept battling back," Ross said. "Through the adversity we had with injuries to key players, other guys just kept stepping up. The last few weeks we started to come together as a real team. When that happens, you have a chance to beat a lot of people."

Western last ended a season with three consecutive victories in 2003.

SCORING SUMMARY

Western Washington  7   7   7  14 --- 35Minnesota State     6   8   7   0 --- 21
MSU - Chappell 11 pass from King (kick blocked)WWU - Garner 43 run (Smith kick)WWU - Dell 24 pass from Perry (Smith kick)MSU - Bryant 4 pass from King (Bryant pass from King)WWU - Garner 30 pass from Perry (Smith kick)MSU - Nowlin 41 pass from King (Spencer kick)WWU - Perry 6 run (Smith kick)WWU - Garner 5 run (Smith kick)Attendance: 1027